Three demonstrations of the Saab New Light Anti-tank Weapon, NLAW, including live firing, were conducted during the summer 2009. At the same time, deliveries were ongoing to the three first customers; The United Kingdom, Sweden and Finland.
In June, a successful live fire demonstration of NLAW was conducted in the Gulf region. A number of missiles were fired, by local gunners, against various targets including moving, hull down and soft targets. The focus was to demonstrate that the system works under severe desert conditions that comprises sand, dust, and very high temperatures as well as with gunners following a training program that allowed not more than roughly 10 hours of basic skills training. The demonstration was a great success.
The Finnish army also conducted a demo of the system in June. Defence attachés in Finland were invited to this NLAW demo that was conducted with conscript soldiers from the first unit trained on and operational with NLAW. They demonstrated the capability of the system and how quick and easy the system was brought in to service after contract award.
“It is clear that the system is now ready to go operational and we see a lot of interest in NLAW in many places around the world. It is a great need for the system’s unique capabilities,” said Anders Haster, NLAW Product Manager.
The NLAW is the first weapon to give a single soldier the ability to destroy a modern Main Battle Tank (MBT) with a single shot from any angle. Due to its Overfly Top Attack mode, it can even engage MBTs in front attitude, as well as hidden targets or targets that are partly obscured. Its guidance system makes it very easy to use and provides a very high hit-and-kill probability. It is a very light missile system, making it ideal for light infantry forces in any environment including built-up areas. It has been developed and tested for use in any environment from arctic, desert, and sub-tropical, as well as both day and night.
